A plan to create a new destination winery in Wrightstown is coming into focus.
Representatives for the Rienzi family, which wants to establish the viticulture venture on properties they own on the 500 block of Swamp Road, attended the June 27 Board of Supervisors meeting to discuss new developments in relation to the proposed project.
Vines have already been planted on the land, but the Rienzis want more than just an agricultural business: They want to create an attractive, classy winery that hosts tastings and events on site.
To that end, they’re proposing to build a permanent building that would host events inside, among other improvements.
Legal and engineering representatives for the winery noted that the Rienzis recently acquired a seven-acre property that neighbors the family’s 18-acre land where vines are already rooted.
The acquired land will be grouped with the property the family already owns, providing more flexibility in terms of layout for the winery, allowing for additional parking, more options for site ingress and egress, and a reduction in potential zoning relief required to bring the project to fruition, the representatives said.
They also noted stormwater control measures that meet required standards will be installed, and there will be trees planted to serve as buffering to neighbors.
“I think it’s a positive project,” said Supervisor Chairman Chester Pogonowski. “There’s low impact to adjoining residences…I’d like to see you put shovels in the ground, but you need to do your due diligence with the zoning hearing board.”
Ed Murphy, an attorney representing the Rienzis, said the next step is to file for zoning relief. After that, the winery would look to create a fully-engineered development plan to present to supervisors for approval.
Ultimately, supervisors would have to give the project the green light in order for the events building and related winery improvements to be built.
Talk of the new destination winery first began before supervisors last year.
It’s anticipated that Joseph Rienzi will be running the production side of the winery operation. He has been a viticulturist/vineyard manager at Karamoor Estate Vineyard & Winery in Fort Washington since 2016. Last year, Karamoor’s 2017 Petit Verdot was named best dry red wine in the Pennsylvania Wine Association competition.
Armando Rienzi and Angela Rienzi are also principals.
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